USA > Pennsylvania > Dauphin County > Commemorative biographical encyclopedia of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania : containing sketches of prominent and representative citizens and many of the early Scotch-Irish and German settlers. Pt. 2 > Part 6
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Mr. Bach Was married November 22, 1874, to Miss Minnie C., daughter of George and Frederica (Koch) Werner. George Werner was born in Germany, in October, 1826, was educated in the schools of his native land, and there confirmed in the Lutheran church. He was a locksmith and followed this busi- ness throughout his life. He came to Amer- ica after he had reached manhood, but be- fore his marriage, and settled in Baltimore, Md. He died in Lancaster, Pa., December 11, 1887, aged sixty-one. He was an Inde-
pendent Democrat. He was married in Bal- timore to Miss Frederica Koch, born in Germany, August 21, 1833. She came to America when a young woman and settled in Baltimore. She still lives in the city of Lancaster in firm health at the age of sixty- two years. They had seven children, three of whom are living: Minnie C., wifeof Harry A. Bach ; Clara, wife of Charles Wolf, and Nellie, F., wife of Charles Cretchman. The children deceased are Annie, wife of Charles Dunker: and Edward, an infant. Mr. and Mrs. Harry A. Bach have four children : Newton V., Ger- trude M., wife of William Holtzman, George W. and Mabel. Mr. Bach is a good solid Republican in his political views.
-- ALDINGER, WILLIAM C., proprietor of the Park Hotel, Harrisburg, Pa., was born in Dauphin county, December 25, 1857. He was a son of John and Regina (Stoll) Al- dinger, natives of Germany, who came to this country in early youth. Mr. John Al- dinger has been all his life engaged in the business of blacksmithing, except for a few years during which ill health compelled him to relinquish active employment. He is still in business in Linglestown, Dauphin county, where he has resided for forty-five years. Two of his brothers, Philip and Andrew Al- dinger, reside in Harrisburg; the latter has retired from business. His wife, who was Miss Regina Stoll, has a brother who is a prominent citizen of Ligonier, Ind. He has been nominated for a State senatorship, and is editor and proprietor of a newspaper in Ligonier. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Aldinger are: John, William C., Carrie, wife of David Hummel, Frederick, and Kate, wife of John Reimert.
William C. Aldinger attended the public schools of Linglestown and Harrisburg until he was fourteen. At the age of seventeen, he was employed by Mr. Breitinger and cierked in that gentleman's restaurant for seven years. In 1883 he embarked in the hotel business on his own account on Straw- berry avenue, where he remained until 1888; he then removed to No. 309 Market street and continued there for over three years. He then conducted the business again for four years on Strawberry avenue; from that place he removed to his present location, the Park Hotel, No. 307 Walnut street, of which he took possession in 1895. Mr. Aldinger's experience of more than a score of years is assurance that he is thoroughly acquainted
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with the needs of his guests, and knows how to meet their wants and provide for their comfort. He adheres to the Democratic party. Mr. Aldinger was married, January 18, 1881, to Miss Christiana, daughter of Frederick and Christiana Hahn. They have one daughter, Evelyn, born April 12, 1890.
Mrs. Aldinger's parents, Frederick and Christiana Hahn, were born in Germany, and came to this country before their mar- riage. Mr. Hahn was for a few years en- gaged in the Bailey Iron Works, and. for many years was foreman of the Halyx Ice Company. Their children are: Carrie; Christiana, Mrs. Aldinger; Mary, Maggie, and Lizzie, Mrs. Harry Smith. Mr. Habn died at the age of sixty-five. Mrs. Hahn resides on Allison's Hill, Harrisburg.
HUNTER, FORREST, proprietor of the Lo- chiel Hotel, Harrisburg, was born at Harris- burg, May 28, 1869. His grandfather Hunter was a civil engineer in the British army. He came to Canada in 1829, and spent the remainder of his life at Lakefield, in the province of Ontario, Canada. George Will- iam Hunter, his son and the father of Forrest Hunter, was born at Ballyglass, county of Mayo, Ireland, March 29, 1828. His parents were English. He came to Canada with them when he was one year old. They lo- cated at Lakefield, province of Ontario, Can- ada, and here he resided until he was seven- teen years of age, when he removed to the United States, locating in different parts of the country until 1861, when he came to Harrisburg. This same year he became a clerk in the Bolton House. Subsequently he became manager of the Lochiel Hotel, and in 1868 assumed the proprietorship of this popular house which was conducted under his able management until the time of his death. He died March 3, 1891. He will long be remembered for his successful business management and his courtesy and kindness. His wife was Mary Bowman. She was a native of Lebanon, Pa. She is still living and resides in Harrisburg. They had two children, Forrest and Mary, wife of W. K. Meyers, a leading attorney-at-law, of Harrisburg.
Forrest Hunter was educated in private schools and at Seiler's Academy of Harris- burg. Since the completion of his education, he has been continuously engaged in the hotel business. Previous to his father's death he was clerk and assistant manager.
After the death of his father, in March, 1891, he assumed entire control of the busi- ness.
In the successful management of a popu- lar hotel, the very highest business qualifi- cations are demanded. At the same time the best personal and social qualities are brought into play. Of all these characteris- tics of the successful and popular landlord, 'Mr. Hunter is abundantly possessed. By inheritance, by training and by natural taste he is richly endowed for his enterprise. The result is that the Lochiel House has a wide and favorable reputation for enjoyable entertainment.
- ALDINGER, FREDERICK B., Harrisburg, Pa., was born at Linglestown, Dauphin county, Pa., June 10, 1874, and is a son of John and Regina (Stoll) Aldinger. Mr. Aldinger was educated in the public schools of Lingles- town. At the early age of thirteen he be- came clerk in the general store of C. B. Care & Son. Three years later he went to Har- risburg, to act as clerk in the hotel of his brother, W. C. Aldinger. When he was sev- enteen years of age, he began a two years' apprenticeship at printing with the Harris- burg Publishing Company, afterwards prac- ticing and improving himself in the art in the State printing office, under the manage- ment of C. M. Busch. At the age of twenty- one Mr. Aldinger went into the hotel busi- ness at No. 231 Strawberry avenue, in which location he still continues the business.
-Russ, NARCISSUS, proprietor of the Colum- bus Hotel, is a native of the southern part of Italy, having been born near Lucca. He came with his parents to America when a lad of about seven years. The family first located at Pottsville, Pa., subsequently re- moving to Philadelphia and finally to Har- risburg. Mr. Russ first engaged in the hotel business in Harrisburg, and also, in connec- tion with his father, conducted a fruit and fish stand for some time. As agent, he intro- duced the Louis Bergdoll beer in the Capital city of Pennsylvania. Several years ago he purchased from John Gross the "Gross House," which he changed on " Columbus Day " to the Hotel Columbus, and has since given his attention to that popular hotel, in which he has had eminent success.
Mr. Russ has been twice married. By his first wife, who is dead, he has two children : Adolph and Ella. By his second wife, whose
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maiden name is Lizzie Shanoffen, he has one living son, Maurice. Mr. Russ has five brothers living in Harrisburg: William, who is engaged in the fruit and fish business on Market Square; Patrick, proprietor of the Hotel Russ; James, of the Commonwealth Hotel; John, agent for Rupperts' N. Y. beer, and Lewis, formerly of the Grand Hotel.
- LAUER, JACOB F., was born in Chester county, Pa., June 28, 1819. He is a son of the late George P. and Mary (Fisler), Lauer. George P. Lauer was born in Philadelphia, and died at the age of sixty-five years. He was married to Miss Mary Fisler. They had five children, two of whom are living: Jacob F., and George, residing at Coatesville, Pa. Their deceased children were: Hannah, wife of Joseph Valentine; Anna, wife of Dr. Mc- Holland; Parker, died, aged fifteen. Mr. Lauer was a Republican.
Jacob F. Lauer was educated in the com- mon schools. At the age of seventeen he went to Lancaster to learn the trade of ma- chinist, but followed that occupation for only about six months. He then worked at boiler iron making in a rolling-mill at Coatesville for one year. After this he was employed by Joseph Bailey at the works below Reading, known as Pine Iron Works, in which he was foreman for ten years. In 1880 he removed to Harrisburg and was forenian for the Bailey Brothers for nearly eight years. In 1887 he went to Michigan, near Battle Creek. and for two years engaged in farming. Returning to Harrisburg, he was out of business for three months and then removed to Jersey City, N. J., where he was for about three years foreman in the Boiler . and Plate Works. Again returning to Harrisburg, and to the employment of Bailey Brothers, he was their foreman for about four years. In the spring of 1894 he went into the livery business on Blackberry avenue and Fourth street, in Harrisburg, and has been continuously in that business up to the present time. He had also a livery stable on the corner of Third and Cumber- land streets for a number of years. His es- tablishment is at present on the corner of Green and Cumberland streets, Harrisburg. In his political opinions he is a good, solid Republican. He cast his first vote for presi- dent for General Harrison, fifty-six years ago. He was married, in Philadelphia, to Miss Catherine, daughter of George and Mary Ailer. They have had thirteen chil-
dren, four of whom are living: Anna, wife of John Griffith; Hannah, William M., and Emma, wife of Edward F. Baum. Their deceased children were: George, died in Jer- sey City ; Parker, killed on the railroad ; Elizabeth, Mary, and some others who died in infancy.
The parents of Mrs. Jacob F. Lauer were both natives of Lancaster. Her father, George Ailer, was for many years a shoe- maker. He and his wife both died in Lan- caster. They had six children, only one of whom, Henry, survives. Catherine, who be- came Mrs. Lauer, was born in Lancaster, in 1821, and died May 31, 1895. She was a faithful member of the Ridge Avenue Methodist Episcopal church.
William M., only son of Mr. J. F. Lauer, was born in Harrisburg, February 23, 1856. He was educated in the public schools and in Seiler's Academy. After leaving school he engaged with his father in the livery busi- ness, in which he has ever since continued. He is known and esteemed everywhere as a man of integrity. He was married, in Har- risburg, in October, 1876, to Miss Anna L., daughter of William and Margaret Kitzle- man. They have had six children, two of whom are living: Nellie G. and Bessie E. Their deceased children were: George P., Edith, Florence, and one who died in in- fancy.
WALLIS, ROBERT, liveryman, was born in Perry county, Pa., October 5, 1834. He is a son of William and Sarah (Jones) Wallis.
Robert Wallis, grandfather of the present Robert Wallis, was born in Scotland. He was a shoemaker, and pursued that vocation throughout his life. He died in Juniata county, Pa., aged ninety-six. He married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Hugh McDonald. They had six children: James, William, John, Samuel, Erwin D., and Sarah, wife of Andrew MeKnight. His wife died in Juni- ata county, at the age of ninety-four. Both paternal grandparents were of Scotch descent.
Mr. Wallis' maternal grandparents, Na- than and Rebecca (Gilfillan) Jones, were of Welsh extraction, and came to this country at an early day. The grandfather was a millwright. They had five children : Edwin ; Sarah; Rebecca, wife of Samuel Jordan; Gib- son and Nathan. Mr. and Mrs. Jones spent their lives by the Juniata river, and died where they had lived. They were members of the Lutheran church.
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William Wallis, father of Robert Wallis, was born in Juniata county, Pa., in 1801. He learned coopering, and worked at that trade for about twelve years. His wife, Sarah Jones, was also a native of Juniata county. They had thirteen children, four of whom are living: twins, William and Sarah, wife of Jacob Holman; Robert and John. Their deceased children are: Margaret, died in 1846, wife of J. C. Werich ; Jackson, died in August, 1850, aged twenty-six ; Foster, died in September, 1851, aged twenty-six; Eliza- beth, died in November, 1895, aged sixty- six ; Rebecca, died in 1839, aged eight years ; and four children who died in infancy. Mr. William Wallis removed to Liverpool, Pa., in 1828, and engaged in mercantile business; he was also a shipper of grain and produce to Baltimore and Philadelphia, by his own boats. He died January 11, 1855, aged fifty-five, and was buried at Liverpool. He was a Democrat. He and his wife were members of the Lutheran church. She died in 1881, at the age of eighty.
Robert Wallis attended the schools of his native county, and received a part of his ed- ucation at Liverpool. He worked on the farm until he was eighteen, after which he was engaged with his father, who kept a hotel and a general store. His father died when Robert was twenty-one years of age, and his mother continued the business until 1865, putting it into Robert's charge. In 1865 he bought the homestead, hotel and store, and carried on business for himself. He continued in this business at Liverpool until 1876, when he removed to Philadel- phia, and leased the Allen House, No. 1220 Market street, which he managed for two years. He then returned to his old property at Liverpool, and kept the hotel there until 1889, when he sold out and removed to Har- risburg. He bought a lot on the corner of Haehnlen and Prune avenues, erected com- modious buildings, and established himself in the livery business.
There are numerous livery stables in Har- risburg, but none more worthy of popularity and patronage than that of Mr. Wallis. His establishment is equipped with all modern adjuncts and appliances for convenience and comfort. The demands of all classes of patrons are especially provided for. Vehicles are strong, modern and stylish ; careful and skillful drivers are employed; and horses, handsome, well trained and entirely safe and reliable, are furnished. He has equipages
for private hire, carriages for parties and balls, buggies for pleasure driving, and well- trained and easy-going riding horses; and all or any at reasonable rates. By his ex- cellent furnishing, his reliable business methods and his agreeable manner of treat- ing patrons, Mr. Wallis has won the confi- dence of the public, and especially of the business men of the city. He enjoys a large patronage.
He was married, May 24, 1866, to Miss Margaretta, daughter of Ezra and Susanna (Alexander) McLinn, born March 26, 1845. They have had five children, four of whom are living: Jean May, Frank J., Ralph M. and Robert. Earl. Edward S. died January 9, 1894, aged seven years.
Mr. Wallis has filled various offices. In Perry county, he was solicited to accept the office of sheriff, but declined, having no desire for public office and honors. He is an active member of City Lodge No. 301, I. O. O. F., to which he has belonged for thirty-five years. He was formerly a member of the Knights of Pythias, and of the Patriotic Order Sons of America. Mr. Wallis is a good, solid Democrat. The family are members of the Lutheran church.
Ezra McLinn, father of Mrs. Wallis, was born in Juniata county, Pa., February 11, 1811. He was a farmer. He was married in January, 1836, to Miss Susanna, daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca Alexander, born in the State of Delaware, May 16, 1818 They had eleven children, seven of whom are living : Margaretta. wife of Robert Wal- lis; Milton E .; George G .; Annie M., wife of Urish Shoeman ; Alton B .; William B .; and Luella E., wife of C. Ed. Kennedy. Their deceased children are: Theo. T., died in 1837, aged three months; Rebecca Mary, died in July, 1840, aged three years ; Louisa Ellen, died in July, 1840, aged one year ; Samuel A., died in April, 1843, aged three years. Mr. McLinn filled various offices in Juniata county, such as county commis- sioner, assessor and school director. His po- litical opinions are Democratic. He is a member of the United .Presbyterian church. He died March 23, 1878, aged sixty-seven years. His wife is still living and resides with Mr. and Mrs. Wallis. She is seventy- eight years of age, and in comfortable health.
Thomas McLinn, the paternal grandfather of Mrs. Wallis, was born in Juniata county. He was a farmer. He married Miss Mary Gilfillan, also a native of Juniata county
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daughter of James Gilfillan. They had eleven children, all deceased: Annie, wife of William Cox; Mary, wife of Thomas McLinn ; Sallie, wife of Mr. Vance; Mar- garet, wife of Robert Jones; Hannah, wife of Robert Patton ; Dorcas; Mamie Kipp, and two sisters who married a Mr. Quigly ; the first, Elizabeth, who died, and then her sister Re- becca married the same man. They were members of the United Presbyterian church.
The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Wal- lis were natives of Delaware. Her grand- father, Benjamin Alexander, was'a farmer. He served in the Revolutionary war, and participated in the battles of Brandywine and Choch Bridge. He married Miss Re- becca, daughter of William and Elizabeth Woodland, born at Elkton, Md., in 1778. They had four children: William, John, Rebecca, wife of Benjamin Alexander, and Sarah, wife of George Reynolds. Benjamin Alexander lived to the age of seventy-five years ; the grandmother, who died Septem- ber 15, 1853, to that of seventy-five. The mother of Mrs. Wallis has in her possession a mirror to which the grandmother fell heir, and which was brought over from Scotland. It is nearly two hundred years old.
Joseph and Robert Wallis, great-uncles of Robert Wallis, were early pioneers, and em- igrated to this country at an early day. Landing at Philadelphia, they traveled north- ward together, seeking a place to locate. At the mouth of the Juniata river they disagreed as to the direction of their farther journey, and separated. Robert continued his jour- ney up the Juniata river, and found land to his liking at Mexico, now Juniata, Pa., where he settled, and engaged in farming and shoemaking, and where he died. Joseph pursued his way up the Susquehanna, and took up land at Northumberland, where he was a farmer, and where he died.
-NEELY, J. M., was born in Hunterstown, Adams county, Pa., March 14, 1846, He is a son of the late Samuel and Catherine (Elliott) Neely. Mr. Neely took only a partial course in the public schools of Adams county. Ife worked with his father on the farm until he was eighteen. In 1863 he en- listed for three years in the army, in com- pany F, Fifteenth Pennsylvania caval y. He served his full time and was discharged in June, 1865; he then returned home and worked on his father's farm for six years, ex-
cepting one year spent in farming on his own account.
IIe came to Harrisburg, in 1871, and opened a green grocery in connection with Mr. Longsdorf, under the firm name of Longs- dorf & Neely. After a year Mr. Longsdorf withdrew and Mr. Neely carried on the busi- ness for a few months longer. Finally it was closed out, and Mr. Neely was a clerk in the grocery of John Kerper for one year. Resigning this position, he became a trans- fer driver, for Mr. Black, between Harrisburg and Steelton, for one year. In May, 1874, he was appointed superintendent of the Harrisburg Street Railway Company, which position, after serving eight years, he resigned to go into business for himself. In 1852 he established a local express and livery busi- ness which he still conducts. His residence is at No. 12 North Fifth street, and his place of business, No. 437 Strawberry avenue, where he has one of the most finely fur- nished livery establishments in Harrisburg.
Mr. Neely has been a member of Dauphin Lodge, No. 160, for twenty years. He is a member of Post 58, G. A. R. Ilis political views are good, straight Republican.
. REED, SAMUEL B., Ilarrisburg, was born in Dillsburg, York county, Pa., June 10, 1851; son of George W. and Nancy (Jones) Reed. The parents were both natives of York county. The father was a cooper by trade and later in life became a farmer. For thirty-five years be carried the mail from Dillsburg to Franklintown, and from Brants- ville to East Burlington, Adams county. He married Nancy Jones, by whom he had seven children, five of whom are living: Mary A., Sarah J., George W., Maria E. and Samuel B. In politics Mr. Reed was a Democrat, and served as tax collector of Dillsburg for several years. He died, at the age of eighty- four years, at Dillsburg, where his wife died. In faith, he was a Quaker, and his wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Samuel B. attended the public school in Dills- burg until he was fourteen years old, and then learned the tailor trade, at which he worked for three years. At the age of nine- teen years he went to Pittsburgh where he found employment with a jewelery and prize package company for thirteen months, after which he returned to Dillsburg and was elected and served as borough supervisor one year. He then established a livery business which he conducted ten years, and
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sold to William Harbolt, after which he opened a green grocery at Williamstown and conducted it three months. His next em- ployment was on the street cars, at Harris- burg, when he was later made superintend- ent and held this position for eight years. His next business venture was a livery es- tablishment, which he is managing at the present time. He was married, April 4, 1883, in Lebanon county, to Miss Agnes Golden, daughter of David and Harriet Golden. Their children are: Rudolph C., Maria, G., Bessie A., and George Russel, died March 4, 1894, aged nineteen months. In politics Mr. Reed is a Democrat. The father of Mrs. Reed was a native of Adams county, where he was engaged as a dealer in grain and coal. He was appointed postmaster under Lincoln's administration and occupied that office many years. He had six children. His wife is a native of Adams county and survives him, residing at Harrisburg, and is eighty years of age.
DUNCAN, WILLIAM, Son of William and grandson of John Duncan, of Derry town- ship, was born October 16, 1806; died March 31, 1884. From early manhood he was en- gaged in the tobacco business, the last twenty-five years of his life at the corner of Third and Walnut streets, Harrisburg, where his son and grandson have successively suc- ceeded him. He was one of the organizers of the first lodge, No. 68, I. O. O. F., es- tablished in Harrisburg, and was the first district deputy grand master in Dauphin county. Early in life he connected himself with Zion Lutheran church and for many years was an elder in the church, and a superintendent of the Third (or Bible Class) department of the Sunday-school, which from a class of less than a dozen attendants increased under his zealous efforts to a mem- bership of hundreds, compelling the sessions to be held in the nave of the church and making a reputation for the school that at- tracted the attention of Sunday-school lead- ers throughout the country. One of the bells of " Old Zion's" chime, so well known to all Harrisburgers, bears the impress of William Duncan's name, as a tribute to his Christian work, and a memorial window in Bethle- hem Lutheran church is a like testimonial from the Sunday-school over which he pre- sided for so many years.
Among the Scotch who, during the reign of James I. of England (1603-1625), emigra-
ted to the north of Ireland and availed of the patents granted by the Government in the distribution of the confiscated lands of the Earls of Tyrone and Tryconnels, were ancestors of William Duncan. This colony of Scotch emigrants made history for the Protestant religion during the insurrection of 1641-1649, and the province of Ulster, after the loss of thousands of lives and untold suffering on the part of the Scotch settlers, became the bulwark and synonym of Presby- terianism for the whole world. In the lapse of time many of the descendents of this he- roic race, by reason of increased taxation and obnoxious governmental exactions, set their backs on the scenes of their forefathers' trib- ulations and successes and emigrated to the province of Pennsylvania, commencing about 1720 and continuing until 1750, bring- ing with them to the regions of the Susque- hanna the same Calvinistic principles that animated their ancestors in the battles of the Irish insurrection and in their noble defense at the siege of Londonderry, the im- press of which can be clearly seen in the characteristics of the population of Dauphin county to this day. Mr. Duncan's great- grandparents were among the earliest of these Scotch-Irish emigrants from Ulster. His grandfather, John Duncan, was a sol- dier in the Revolutionary war, and his father, William Duncan, was a deputy super- intendent of military stores during the war of 1812-1814. His mother was born, Nancy Young, and at marriage to his father was the widow of Lawrence Bennage.
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